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Heater sizeing is bigger ok

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I noticed that one of the online stores is having a sale on the Via Aqua heaters and it is very resonable to purchase a 200watt heater. This heater would be used in a 20 gal tanks so it is oversized. Is there any problem with doing this? thanks Mike:help

It should work fine. I am currently using a 300 watt heater in my 40 QT tank as I have a spare one and don't want to buy another heater

The only potential problem would be if the heater gets stuck in the "on" postion. But I have only personally experianced that once so it's not really a big risk.

If you take your time to do the research FIRST, you can successfully set-up and keep ANY type of aquarium with ease."Not using a quarantine tank is like playing Russian roulette. Nobody wins the game, some people just get to play longer than others." - Anthony CalfoFishless CycleCycling with FishMarine Aquarium Info [URL="http://saltwater.aquaticcommunity.com/"]

BTW - Cliff means a 40 [gallon] 'QT' tank - Just saying :-D

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Nope, Provided it operates correctly it will only turn on & off as required to keep the water at the temp you set.

The only issue is if it doesn't work correctly [EG: It sticks on - Not common with decent heaters btw so don't panic ] and it will cook your tank quicker than a smaller heater but unless you catch either in the time frame before this happens [unlikely] you still have the same problem --> Busted heater.

EDIT: Ninja'd by Cliff! :-P

Last edited by Goes to 11!; 12-24-2012 at 07:08 PM.

Gas mileage isn't everythingOIIIIIIIOLack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part.Why pretend there are no stupid questions? Actually, There are many stupid questions: "Should I drink this bleach?" Is just one example.
Having said that, Just because it's a stupid question doesn't mean that it shouldn't be asked. It's better to know.A warm beer is better than a cold beer. Because nothing is better than a cold beer, and a warm beer is better than nothing.

You are right

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850R
Thank you, I thought this would be the responce but have never done an over sized heater in a tank and you are right if you are not there to catch it the out come is the same. Thank you and Happy Holidays.

using a spare 50w heater in my 4 gallon tank and i have it on almost the lowest setting so it would heat up the tank to the temp i wanted it at without baking the water and the fish

Mommy already explained how heaters operate to maintain a temp but the comment above indicates you aren't fully grasping it [You are not simmering soup ], You should reread her post..

Gas mileage isn't everythingOIIIIIIIOLack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part.Why pretend there are no stupid questions? Actually, There are many stupid questions: "Should I drink this bleach?" Is just one example.
Having said that, Just because it's a stupid question doesn't mean that it shouldn't be asked. It's better to know.A warm beer is better than a cold beer. Because nothing is better than a cold beer, and a warm beer is better than nothing.

One thing to consider is the length of the heater. Most of the higher wattage heaters are pretty long and as a result will not fit in the traditional straight up and down configuration inside the tank. I don't know if that is what you want to do but I just thought of it in case you were.

thanks for the thought

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Jeffs99dime
That had gone through my mind and that will not be a problem since the heater that is in it is sideways so to be hidden behide plants. 24" tank 15 " heater and all is well but thank you if I had not thought of this it could have been a real problem in some installs. Happy Holidays to you Mike